Golf shoe attachment



Aug. 29, 1967 sToLLMAN ETAL GOLF SHOE ATTACHMENT Filed April 12. 1965INVENTORS N ma mw L Y. mo vm TS y mm .A V mw.

UnitedStates Patent O 3,337,972 GOLF SHOE ATTACHMENT Irving Stollman,Oak Park, Mich., and Bert P. Solomon,

17319 Westland, Southfield, Mich. 48075; said Stollman assignor to saidSolomon Filed Apr. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 447,156 6 Claims. (Cl. 36-61)ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A planar base member as adapted to besupported under the instep of a golfers shoe by means of an extendingsection disposed parallel to the base, and separated therefrom, whichhas an aperture which may be supported between the heel of the shoe andspikes attached to the heel. A plate is pivotably fixed to the base formotion between a retracted position, wherein it lies parallel to thebase and allows normal use of the shoe, and an extending positionwherein it projects normally to the instep, parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the shoe, adjacent one side thereof and causes the shoe to beinclined with respect to the supporting surface. Spring means urges theplate into its retracted position and lock means retains it in itsextended position. In one embodiment magnets are adapted to retain it inits retracted position.

Summary of the invention This invention relates to a device adapted tobe attached to the shoe of a golfer for the purpose of positioning hisfoot during the club swing in order to obtain a proper body postureduring the swing.

Expert golfers are in substantial agreement as to the proper bodyalignment and motion during the swing of the golf club. This ideal swingis considered diicult to achieve and involves a number of positionalfactors which must all be achieved sequentially or simultaneously. Oneof these factors which is generally agreed to be of primary importanceis that the golfers head be maintained in direct vertical alignmentabove the initial position of the ball during all parts of the stroke.The vertical axis through the head and the ball then acts as a centerline about which the stroke is achieved, with the club windup andfollow-through constituting rotations about this axis. This verticalalignment is difficult to maintain during the vclub stroke and thetendency to move the head and body from this position, or to sway,results in directional errors and loss of stroke distance, In order toprevent swaying the golfer is advised to maintain his weight on theinner edge of the foot removed from the d1- rection in which the ball isbeing hit; that is, a right-handed golfer should maintain his Weight onthe inner side of the right foot and the at of his left foot during thestroke. This weight placement prevents the body from swaying during thestroke and insures a proper vertical alignment.

In order to achieve this desired weight placement during the clubstroke, experts often advise that the righthanded golfer place a golfball under the instep of the right-hand side of his right foot. Thisforces the weight onto the inner side ofthe foot during the stroke. Ithas also been proposed to'provide devices which may be attached to theunder side of the golf shoe during the stroke which project outwardlytherefrom so as Vto raise the outer side of the shoe and force theweight onto the inner side. At least one of these devices may bepermanently attached to the shoe and has two operative positions, a rstwherein it is collapsed so that the golfer may walk about the coursewithout interference, and a second wherein it is extended so as toproperly position the foot for the swing. The present inventionconstitutes an improvement in this latter class of devices.

3,331,912 Patented Aug. 29, 1967` A preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, which will subsequently be disclosed in detail, constitutesan attachment which s adapted to be supported under the sole of one ofthe golfers shoes in the instep area immediately abutting the forwardedge of the heel. The attachrnent has a at extension which extends overthe heel and is adapted to be retained thereon by tixing it under a pairof spikes which are normally found on a golf shoe. This retainingextension has such a configuration that it may be joined to almost anygolfers shoe by simply removing a pair of the existing spikes andreinserting them with their inserted ends passing through an aperture inthe projection.

The attachment consists `oi" a irst, base plate which is fixed to theextending section so as to lie flat against the instep area of the soleand a pivoting extending hinge plate section which is adapted to bepositioned in either an extended or a retracted position with respect tothe base plate. The base plate carries an elongated round hinge pin sothat its intermediate section extends above the base plate and generallyparallel to the axis of the golf shoe. The hinge plate is attached tothis elongated pin by means of a hole in the plate which surrounds thepin. The plate is thus adapted to pivot about the pin and to be slidforwardly or rearwardly along the pin to move the hinge plate toward thefront or the rear of the golf shoe. When in one of these extremepositions the hinge plate is adapted to be rotated into parallelalignment with the base plate and to be retained there by some suitablemeans such as a spring acting against the plate or a magnetic latch.When in this position the golfer can walk on the shoe in a normal mannerand the entire device does not extend suiciently to contact the walkingsurface.

The hinge plate may also be rotated from this position through aboutdegrees into a position where it extends approximately perpendicular tothe sole of the shoe and extends beyond the projecting spikes. Whenrotated into this extending position the hinge plate may be slid alongthe hinge pin, preferably, but not necessarily, in a rearward direction,so as to lock with respect to the base plate so that it maintains theextending position independently of rotational forces exerted upon it.When in this position the extending device projects outwardly from theouter side of the foot and forces the golfer to maintain all of theweight placed on this on the inner edge. In this position it would notbe possible for the golfer to comfortably walk with the shoe. After thecompletion of the stroke thc hinge plate is simply slid along the hingepin to its release position and rerotated and latched to the base plate.l It is'therefore seen to be a primary object of the present inventlonto provide a sway preventing device for golfers which is permanentlyattached to the instep area of the lower side of the sole of a golf shoeand has a iirst retracted position wherein it is folded in the insteparea so as to not project into contact with the walking surface and asecond extended position wherein it projects downwardly from the outeredge of the shoe so as to force the golfer to put all of the weightexerted on that foot on the inner edge of this shoe.

Another object is to provide such a device which has a retaining platethat extends over the under side of the heel and is adapted to besecured to the heel by placement under golf shoe spikes.

Another object is to provide such a device consisting primarily of abase plate and a hinge plate wherein the hinge plate may be lockedeither to the base plate in the retracted position or extendingoutwardly from the base plate in an operative position.

A still further object is to provide such a device wherein a springmeans is provided for locking the extendingplate against the base platein the retracted position and for securing it into locking contact withthe base plate in the extending position.

Another object is to provide such a device wherein the extending sectioncomprises a hinge plate which may be rotated about or slid along a hingepin fixed to the base section.

Other objects, advantages and applications of the present invention willbe made apparent by the following detailed description of two preferredembodiments of the invention. The description makes reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a golfer wearing a golf shoe equippedwith an embodiment of the present invention, the golfer being positionedin the back swing;

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the heel section of a golf shoe equipped witha first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom view of the heel and instep portion of the golfshoe of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a rear sectional view through the heel of the golf shoe ofFIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is another sectional view -through the attachment itself whichconstiutes a first embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the attachmentof the present invention; and

FIGURE 7 is a sectional View through a second embodiment of theattachment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, FIGURE l illustrates the body position of agolfer, generally indicated at 10, during the back swing of his club 12,while one of his shoes 14 is equipped with an embodiment of the presentinvention, generally indicated at 16. It will be noted that the golfershead is positioned directly over the golf ball 18 and it is the functionof the device of the present invention to force a golfer into thatstance and to prevent him from swaying his head and body during thestroke so that it is no longer in vertical alignment with the ballposition.

A first embodiment to the invention is disclosed in FIGURES 2-6. Theshoe 14 is yof the normal type worn by golfers having a heel 20 and asole 22 which join at an instep area 24. The heel of a golf shoe isnormally equipped with four spikes 26 which are positioned on the heel,as are similar spikes 28 on the sole, to project downwardly ltherefromand securely engage the golfers foot with the surface of the course bothin walking and during his strokes. Each spike has a fiat disc-like head30, an extending section 32 which projects downwardly from the center ofthe head, and a screw portion 34 which projects upwardly from the otherside of the head and is adapted to be threaded into the heel or sole ofthe shoe.

The device of the present invent-ion has an extending heel section 36which consists of a fiat elongated plate having a central elongated slot38 formed therein. The slot has a width which is slightly smaller thanthe average Width of the heads of golf shoe spikes. This slot 38 has alength which exceeds the average maximum spacing between a pair oflongitudinally aligned spikes formed on the heel of the shoe. The deviceof the present invention is adapted to be retained to the shoe byremoving a pair of longitudinally aligned spikes formed on the heel ofthe shoe, and reinserting the spikes with their screw sections 34projecting through the aperture 38 in the heel section 36.

The heel extending section 36 is formed integrally with an instep basesection 40 which is generally rectangular in outline. The base section40' has a ridge formed on three of its rectangular sides, the ridgeconsisting of the elements 42 on the side adjacent to the heel section36, the side 44 and the side 46. The sides 44 and 46 are formed withnormally disposed end walls 48 and 50 respectively. On their inner edgesthe sides 42, 44 and 46 are also bounded by normally extending walls 52,54 and 56 respectively, which define a central depression or well 58.The well 58 is bounded by a base plate section 60 which is off-setv fromthe level -of the sections 42, 44 and 46 by the respective widths of thewalls 52, 54 and 56. The plate 60 is disposed in close alignment withthe shoe instep.

The base plate section 60 is'skewed with respect to the level of thesurfaces 42, 44 and 46 because of a taper in the width of the wall 54from its side adjacent to the section 42 to its side adjacent to thesection 46. Accordingly, the wall 56 is somewhat narrower than the wall52. The maximum thickness occurs at the heel and tapers outwardly. Theplate 60 is also slightly curved across its width so that the uppersurface is convex as is best seen in FIGURE 5. This is so theplate'Vwill conform to the normally rounded contour of the instep ofythe average shoe.

As may best be seen in FIGURE 5 the ridges defined by the walls 50 and56 and the edge 46 and by the edge 44 and the wall 54 are not solid butare rather formed of thin hollow sections. The entire base plate memberand the heel section, as heretofore described, is preferably formed in amolding or casting process, or by stamping from sheet. The sectionscould alternatively be formed with solid walls.

The well 58 formed by the walls 52, 54 Vand 56 is open on its fourthside and a circular steel hinge pin has its ends journalled in the wallS2 and the wall 56 and extends across that open side. The pin may alsoextend through the ridge defined by the walls 46, 50 and 56 so that oneextreme end is journalled in the wall 50. The pin extends from the walls56 and 52 nearthe level of the surfaces 42 and 46.

A hinge plate, generally indicated at 72 is supported on the pin 70. Thehinge plate 72 is also preferably formed by molding, casting or stampingand has relatively vthin sections. Its main surface 74 is bounded bythree generally rectangular surfaces which extend normally to it: 76, 78and 80. The surfaces 76 and 80 are connected with an indented edge 82which extends from the surface 76 and the side between the end of theindented section 82 and the surface is notched inwardly at 84 and a thinlatch section 86 extends outwardly from the corner of the notch. Theedge 80 has a 90 degree upward extension 90 which completes theconfiguration of the hinge plate 72.

The hinge plate 74 has a central hole 91 formed adjacent to the edge 90.'The hinge pin 70 passes through this hole and in this manner retainsthe entire hinge plate. The width of the hinge plate at the hole isconsiderably less than the distance between the wall 52 and 56 and theI'it between the pin and the hole is such that the hinge plate can slidealong the pin. It can also rotate through 90 degrees between the twopositions indicated in FIG'- URE 5. In one position one edge of thecorner 90 is in abutment with the surface of the plate 60 and the hingeplate extends normally to the surface 60 in the manner shown in fulllines in FIGURE 5 and also in FIGURES 2, 3, 4 and 6. In the otherposition the plate 72 has been rotated through 90 degrees to theposition shown in phantom lines in FIGURE 5 wherein it lies Within thewell 58 with its surface generally hush with the Walls ofthe well.

The hinge plate 72 may also slide along the pin 70 between the twopositions indicated in full and phantom lines in FIGURE 2. When in theretracted position shown in phantom lines therein, with the surface 78in relatively close proximity of the wall 56 of the'well 58, the plateis free to rotate between its extended and retracted positions. When inthe locked position with the notch 84 in close proximity to the wall 52of the well 58 94 which abuts the forward face 96 of the ridge formed bythe edges 46, `50 and 5'6. The other end of the spring 98 extends alongthe surface of the hinge plate 74 immediately adjacent to the extendingedge 90. The spring is so formed as to urge the hinge plate 74 to aposition wherein it is in abutment with the wall 52 of the well 58.

The spring 92 is formed so as to urge the hinge plate 72 ltoward thewall 52 of the well 58 and thus into a locked position with respect tothe upright member 87 and 89. It also urges the hinge plate 72 to rotateinto its retraced position wherein it is disposed within the well 58.

Thus, in use, the hinge plate 72 may -be disposed in either of anextended locked position orthe retracted position and the spring 92 actsto retain it in both of these positions in the absence of the propermanually exerted forces. ln order to move the shingle plate yfrom theextended position shoWn in FIGURE 6 it is necessary to rst slide italong the pin against the spring until the latch section is withdrawnfrom the uprights 87 and 89 and then allow the spring to rotate it intothe retracted position where it is retained by the pressure of thespring coil. It may be reinserted into the extended position by rotatingit against the spring coil and then allowing it to slide forward intothe locked position.

The golfer normally maintains the hinge plate in the retracted positionwhen he is walking about the course b'etween strokes. When positionedfor a club stroke (except putting) the golfer moves the hinge plate toan extended position so as to properly orient his feet.

FIGURE 7 discloses an alternative embodiment of my invention wherein thespring retaining means is not employed but rather a magnetic latch isused. This latch may be used whenever the base plate is formed of anon-magnetic material. It simply consists of a round magnet section 110which is attached to the center of the-underside ofthe plate 72. A steelinsert 112 is formed on the surface of the center of the well 58 in aposition contiguous to the magnet section when the hinge plate 72 is ina retracted position. This insert 112 might `be formed of a section ofmagnetic tape joined to the surface 60 with an adhesive. This magneticpair acts to retain the hinge plate 72 in retracted position when not inuse. The magnetic attraction may easily overcome by manual forces tomove the plate into its extended position.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An attachment for a golfers shoe having a heel and a sole joining oneanother in an instep section, comprising: a base plate adapte-d to -besupported adjacent to the sole in said instep section; a plate member; ahinge joining the plate member to the base member so that the platemember may be moved between an extending position wherein it projectsapproximately 90 degrees with respect to the instep surface parallel tothe longitudinal axis of the shoe, and adjacent -to one side thereof andprevents the normal placement of the shoe on a supporting surface, and a-retracted position wherein it is in abutment with the base plate andallows the normal placement of the shoe on a supporting surface; andlock means for releasably retaining said plate in its extended position.

2. The attachment of claim 1 wherein said Ilocking means consists of amagnet adapted to attract the plate .to

one of its two positions anda latch means operative to retain it in theother position.

3. The attachment of claim 1 wherein a spring means is supported on thebase member and is adapted to bea-1 against the plate member so as tourge the plate member into its retracted position.

4. An attachment for a golfers shoe having a heel and a sole joining oneanother in an instep section, comprising: a base member adapted to vbesupported adjacent to the sole in said instep section; lan elongated pinsupported in said base member; a plate member having a hole lthereinwhich surrounds said pin so that said plate member is rotatable aboutsaid pin and slidable along said pin, said pin supporting said platemember so that it may be moved between an extending position wherein itprojects approximately degrees with respect to the instep surfaceparallel to .the longitudinal axis of the shoe and adjacent to one sidethereof and prevents normal placement of the shoe on a supportingsurface, and a retracted position wherein it is in abutment with thebase and allows a normal placement of the shoe on a supporting surface,the plate member being slidable along the pin, while in its extendedposition, between a position wherein it may be rotated Ibetween itsextended and retracted positions, and a position wherein it is lockedagainst rotation; and spring means for normally urging the plate towardits retracted position.

5. An attachment for a golfers shoe having a heel and a sole joining oneanother in an instep section, comprising: a base plate having arelatively tlat instep section adapted to 'be disposed adjacent to thesole in said instep section, and a heel section attached to said instepsection and disposed parallel to and separated from said instep sectionand having apertures therein which are adapted to be `disposed betweenthe heads of spikes fitted in the heel and the surface of the heel so asto retain the instep section in place; a plate member, supported on theinstep section and adapted to be disposed in either a retracted positionwherein it is in abutment with the instep section and allows the normalplacement of the shoe on a supporting surface, or an extending positionwherein it projects normally with respect to the instep surface parallelto the longitudinal axis of the shoe and along one side thereof, andprevents the normal placement of the shoe on :a supporting surface; andspring means normally urging the plate toward its retracted position.

6. The attachment of claim 5 wherein the instep section and the heelsection are joined by a connecting section which extends -generallynormally to each and connects their adjacent edges.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 192,057 6 1'877 Dewey et a-l.36-61 1,206,653 11/1916 Beard 36-'61 2,482,930 9/ 1949 Norwood 36-12,968,878 1/1961 King 36--61 3,218,734 11/ 1965 OBrien 36-25 FOREIGNPATENTS 667,936 5/ 1937 Germany.

PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner.

1. AN ATTACHMENT FOR A GOLFER''S SHOE HAVING A HEEL AND A SOLE JOININGONE ANOTHER IN AN INSTEP SECTION, COMPRISING: A BASE PLATE ADAPTED TO BESUPPORTED ADJACENT TO THE SOLE IN SAID INSTEP SECTION; A PLATE MEMBER; AHINGE JOINING THE PLATE MEMBER TO THE BASE MEMBER SO THAT THE PLATEMEMBER MAY BE MOVED BETWEEN AN EXTENDING POSITION WHEREIN IT PROJECTSAPPROXIMATELY 90 DEGREES WITH RESPECT TO THE INSTEP SURFACE PARALLEL TOTHE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE SHOE, AND ADJACENT TO ONE SIDE THEREOF ANDPREVENTS THE NORMAL PLACEMENT OF THE SHOE ON A SUPPORTING SURFACE, AND ARETRACTED POSITION WHEREIN IT IS IN ABUTMENT WITH THE BASE PLATE ANDALLOWS THE NORMAL PLACEMENT OF THE SHOE ON A SUPPORTING SURFACE; ANDLOCK MEANS FOR RELEASABLY RETAINING SAID PLATE IN ITS EXTENDED POSITION.